Italy Faces Euro 2032 Risk as UEFA President Highlights Stadium Concerns
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has issued a stark warning to Italy regarding its readiness to co-host Euro 2032. He criticized the state of the country’s stadiums, labeling them as “some of the worst in Europe.” In an interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport, Ceferin stated, “Euro 2032 is scheduled and will take place, of that there is no doubt. I just hope that the infrastructure [in Italy] will be ready. If that’s not the case, the tournament will not be held in Italy.” He emphasized the need for Italian politicians to reflect on why the nation’s football infrastructure is lagging. Ceferin pointed out that the fundamental issue lies in “the relationship between the football authorities and politics.” Italy is set to co-host the tournament with Turkey, and by October, the country must select five stadiums from a pool of 11 candidate cities: Rome Florence Bologna Milan Genoa Verona Bari Naples Turin Cagliari Palermo While only Juventus’s Allianz Stadium in Turin is fully prepared, other clubs are making strides. Inter and Milan are working on a new 71,500-capacity arena at the San Siro site, amid ongoing investigations into land sales. Additionally, Roma received approval for a new stadium in eastern Rome, and Fiorentina is redeveloping the Stadio Artemio Franchi. With a deadline looming for necessary renovations, the pressure mounts on Italy to ensure its stadiums meet UEFA's standards.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-04-02